Wireless charging makes a world’s first debut on South Western Railway trains in the UK.

Baker Bellfield, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of commercial
interior solutions for the rail sector, and Aircharge, global leader in
wireless charging solutions for contract use, have announced today the
launch of the world’s first fully rail compliant inductive phone
wireless charging system. On-train wireless charging will debut on South
Western Railway’s (SWR) refurbished and reconfigured class 444 Siemens
Desiro five-car EMUs on the London Waterloo – Southampton – Bournmouth –
Weymouth route from November 2018. When the refurbishment programme is
completed, all 172 of SWR Desiro class trains will have this new feature.

With mobile devices becoming the best travel companions for personal and
business purposes, including the use of mobile check-in applications and
mobile payments, passengers are more than ever in need of a safe and
convenient way to keep their device battery fully powered whilst
travelling.

The Aircharge - Baker Bellfield wireless charging solution is integrated
directly into tables in SWR’s first class carriages as a complimentary
service offered to passengers, enabling them to top up their mobile
phone by simply placing the device onto the charger without the need of
a cable. Utilising the universal standard for wireless charging, Qi, the
system is directly compatible with over 130 Qi certified smartphone
models, including the latest Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models.

The Aircharge - Baker Bellfield wireless charging units are the first to
be manufactured specifically for rolling stock, complying with all
mandatory railway applications and standards including
EN501121‐3‐2‐2016, EN50155:2017, GMRT 2100. They are also IP55 rated,
meaning they offer water and dust protection.

The Aircharge - Baker Bellfield wireless charging solution can be
surface or sub-surface mounted providing the flexibility of being
integrated into tables, seat back tables, dado panels, window panels,
grab rails and even side celling panels for metro applications, meaning
expansion in standard class carriages and onto other railway vehicles is
expected in the near future.

“Wireless charging represents the future of charging mobile devices and
the partnership with Aircharge will allow us to create a new standard
for the railway rolling stock sector and beyond,” said Robert Wilkin,
Business Development Manager at Baker Bellfield.

The train installation is part of Aircharge’s growth plan to further
extend its wireless charging ecosystem into public transport, alongside
its already established presence in public venues. Steve Liquorish, CEO
and Founder of Aircharge, commented, “To date we have already deployed
our solution on buses and in a number of airports and train stations
across the UK railway network, in Europe, US and Middle East, and the
expansion into trains consolidates our position as the leading provider
for the transport sector, enhancing our public space proposition and
offering users a convenient solution when they are most in need of
keeping their mobile phones charged”. Aircharge already provides the
most extensive wireless charging ecosystem deployed in public venues
globally, including transport hubs, restaurant and fast food chains,
cafes, hotels, retail shops and office installations.